Get a travel package before January 15 when the changes (mostly devaluations) to Marriott Rewards take place. A category 7 property award for 7 days is good for a week at one hotel. This costs 150,000 points, and you can get another 120,000 miles on AA (or many other carriers) for another 120,000 points. For a category 6 travel package, the hotel certificate costs 130,000 points, while a category 5 hotel certificate for a week costs 115,000 points.

Start looking for places where you would like to go and check for availability. You can order a travel package without attaching the hotel certificate to a specific property, but you must order by January 14 for the current redemption rates. The hotel certificate will be good for a year after its issuance, and you can attach it to properties for stays after January 15. However, if you have your eye on a property that is changing to category 8, you must book the reservation before January 15. Marriott's reservations extend about 48 weeks ahead of the current date, although some properties load in less inventory (award and paid). If you want a specific date that is not yet loaded (and is close to being about a year out), you can ask if the hotel will provide room inventory.